Exercise is a key component of healthy aging. It offers many health benefits to your overall fitness and well-being. Simple exercises may also contribute to a more positive driving experience and help you stay safe on the road. The Hartford Center for Mature Market ExcellenceSM and the MIT AgeLab researched the connection between physical exercise and driving, and found some fascinating results.

Research Findings

Drivers in the study who were asked to exercise daily:

Reported greater ease in turning their heads to see blind spots when changing lanes or to back up;

Were able to rotate their bodies further to scan the driving environment while making right hand turns;

Were able to get into their cars more rapidly, demonstrating increased overall flexibility.

The research also surveyed drivers 50+ and found that half have not considered how exercise might be beneficial to their ability to drive. Those surveyed also identified the physical aspects they find most challenging when it comes to driving. They are:

Turning their head and body to look behind when backing up (41%);

Getting in and out of the car (22%); and

Turning their head to see blind spots when changing lanes (19%).

Not only does exercising daily contribute to a more positive driving experience overall, it may also improve the types of driving-related movements that many people find challenging.

The Exercises

The participants in our study participated in an exercise program that focused on four areas – flexibility, range of motion, strength and coordination.

Strength Exercises: Strength is important for many driving tasks such as pressing down on a brake pedal. Exercises like biceps curls and squats can help enhance a driver’s strength.

Range of Motion Exercises: Range of motion is central to actions like putting on your seatbelt easily. Performing exercises like back stretches and heel drops can improve your range of motion.

Flexibility Exercises: Flexibility is necessary for movements like getting in and out of your car easily. To enhance your flexibility, consider exercises like chest and shoulder expansions and shoulder stretches.

Coordination Exercises: Coordination can help with the integration of movement in your upper and lower body, such as simultaneously braking and turning. Soccer kicks and lateral steps are good exercises for boosting your coordination.

Exercises like these are easy to learn, can be done anywhere and can be combined with your current exercise program. To learn more, download a copy of our exercise guide.

Two-Step Plan

To add or begin an exercise program to boost your driving wellness:

Check with your health provider on the best exercise plan for you. Review our exercise guide and come up with your own plan.

Follow a regular exercise program. Connect with friends, build it into your calendar, and try to spend at least 15-30 minutes a day being active.

About Our Research

Our research tracked experienced drivers ages 60-74 as they followed a physical fitness program for 15-20 minutes per day over eight to 10 weeks. The exercise program focused on four areas – flexibility, range of motion, strength and coordination. Participants’ driving skills were assessed before and after the exercise program with a combination of in-lab tests, a driving simulator and the instrumented MIT AgeLab Aware Car. The research also surveyed drivers age 50+ about exercise and driving as well as the most challenging aspects of driving.

Readers are encouraged to consult with their physician before beginning this or any exercise program.